Art of manufacturing containers



June 1 ,1926. 1,587,267

J. M. AHLGREN ART OF MANUFACTURING conunmns Original Filed April 28. 1922' '4 She ets-Sheet 1 June 1 1926. T

J. M. AHLGREN ART OF MANUFACTURING CONTAINERS Original Filed April 28. 1922 4 Sheets-$21691: 2

Jime 1 1926. 1,587,267

J. M. AHLGREN ART OF MANUFACTURING CONTAINERS Original Filed April 28. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 iii/e72 2%77 Jime 1 1926. 1,587,267

J. M. AHLGREN ART OF MANUFACTURING CONTAINERS Original Filed April 28, 1922 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JARW Patented June 1, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

I JOHN M. AHLGREN, F INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO AI-ILBELL BATTERY CONTAINER CORPORATION, OF WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS, CORPORATION OF ILLI- nors.

ART OF MANUFACTURING CONTAINERS.

Original application filed April as, 1922, Serial No. 551,131. mvmcd na this application filed March 24, 1923. Serial No. 627,425.

My invention relates more particularly, though not exclusively, to the manufacture ofbattery containers commonly of a form and construction to receive the battery elements of a plural cell battery as, for example and more particularly, storage batteries such as are used in automobiles and which containers are, bypreference, formed of any suitable rubber compound; the present'apl0 plication being a division of my applicat on for United States Letters Patent, upon which Letters Patent No. 1,485,061 were granted February 26, 1924.

My objects are to reduce the cost of manufacture of such containers and more especially containers of the type wherein the bottom, side walls and partitions dividing the container into cells are integral with each other; to improve upon containers as hitherto provided; to produce a highly satis- 'factory and durable construction thereof;

and other objects as will be manifest from the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, with the parts disassembled but in relatlvely almmg position, of a core-equipped vulcanizing' mold structure suitable for'practicing my improved process. Figure 2 is a similar view of the various elements from which the container may be formed in the mold shown in Fig. 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the completed container, with portions thereof broken away to disclose interior details. Figure 4 is a plan view of the bottom, core-equipped, plate of the mold, one of the sections of the core being shown in section. Figure 5 is a broken, vertical, sectional View taken through the mold and showing the parts illustrated in Fig. 1, in assembled position, but with the container-forming elements omitted, the section being taken at the line 5 on Fig. 4 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Figure 6 is a vertical sectional View of the structure shown in Fig. 4, this section being taken at the line 6 on Fig. 4 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Figure 7'is a view like Fig. 6 of the upper right-hand corner of the structure shown in this figure, this view showing the adjacent portion of the container formed therein and illustrating the position occupied by the excess container-forming material in the molding of the material to form the container. Figure 8 is a View in side elevation of the plate to which the cores are connected, but withthe cores omitted, onehalf of the view being in section with the core plate for the handle at this end of the mold omitted; and Figure 9, a perspective View of the core plate for the handle por t on of the container.

In production of plural-cell battery containers, as, for example, for storage battery purposes, I preferably form the container from elements of any suitable rubber compound capable of resisting the action of the acid used in storage batteries and vulcanizable into the desired hard condition, such rubber compounds being commonly known in the art. The elements referred to, and as shown more partlcularlyin Fig. 2 and preferably employed, comprise the opposite side-wallorm ng sheets 11, the end-wall-and-handleforming sheets shown as each formed of the plane section 12, and the apertured sheetsection 13, the partition-forming sheets 14 practicing my improved process in the inverted condition. The edges .of the sheets 14 and 15, shown uppermost in Fig. 2, contain series of notches 18, the walls of which converge downwardly, to receive the ribforming elements 17, the side walls of which converge downwardly, the elements 17 extending crosswise of the sheets 12, 14 and 15 and abutting at their ends the inner faces of the sheets 12. The edges of the elements 13 shown lowermost in Fig. 2, are provided with depending portions 19 which, in the finished structure, extend above the plane of the upper edges of the side walls 11 and l the partitions 14 and 15, and are outwardly offset from the walls 12, the portions 19 containing openings 20 therein to form finger grips by means of which the finished battery may be conveniently handled.

As 'a preface to the following description it may be stated that the various container-forming elements shown in Fig. 2 are assembled in a mold, wherein they are subjected to pressure and vulcanizing heat,

all as hereinafter fully explained, for the purpose of uniting the various elements at the portions thereof which extend contiguous to each other to form the finished integral vulcanized container shown in Fig. 3.

The construction of mold illustrated and which is of avery desirable form for use in the practicing of my improved method comprises a bottom plate 21 from which rises, centrally thereof, the core-structure about which the elements shown in Fig. 2 are molded. The core-structure shown, and suitable for molding a 3-cell container, is formed of three similar sections 22 extending cross wise of the plate 21 and extending at their lower ends into recesses 23 extending transversely of the upper, relatively narrow, portion 24 of the plate 21, these core-sections being thus spaced apart as represented at 25. The core sections 22 are secured to the plate as by the bolts 26 and are preferably of the same length as the recesses into which they extend. The opposite walls of the sections 22 converge slightly in an upward direction in Fig. 1 for the purpose of providing draft and the spaces 25 are provided to receive the elements 14 and 15. The upper surfacesof the sections 22 in Fig. 1 contain series of alining notches 27 the opposite walls of which converge downwardly, for receiving those portions of theelements 17, which, in the assembled position of the elements shown in Fig. 2, extend between the elements 14 and 15 and between these elements and the elements 12. By locating the core elements 22 as stated, the plate portion 21 extends laterally .in all directions beyond these core sections and in a plane below the latter, thereby affording the continuous ledge 28 surrounding the group of core-sections 22. The plate 21 at opposite edges thereof adjacent the narrow ends of the core-sections 22 is provided with bars 29 which rest upon certain portions of the ledge 28 and are secured, as by screws 30, in position to overlap the lower edges of the ends of the coresections 22 and aid in preventing displacement of the latter. The portions of the ledge 28 at the ends of the plate 21 are recessed, as represented at 31, to receive coreplates 32 hereinafter described, and beyond these recesses are recessed at 33 for a purpose hereinafter described. The core-plates 32, shown as recessed as represented at 34, at their outer ends, to interfit with the ends of the bars 29 vertically slidingly fit within the recesses 31 and between their ends present the laterally-opening channels 35 of general U-shape which open at their endsthrough the upper surfaces of the coreplates .32'and in which the handle-portions of the container, are formed, the recesses 33 having ciu'ved lower surfaces substantially concentric with the lower surfaces of the channels 35 but in a lower plane as shown.

The ledges provided by the upper surfaces of the bars 29 and the surfaces provided by the tops of the core-plates 32 constitute the bottom surfaces of the mold cavity, for the portions of the container located between the handle .portions thereof, and the channels constitute the mold cavities for the handle-portions. The ledges 28 serve as supports for the side and end walls hereinafter referred to, of the mold. I

In the use of the moldstructure for producing a container, the container-forming material located in the mold is subjected to vulcanizing heat, as hereinbefore stated, and to this end the core sections 22 of the mold structure, which latter is preferably made of metal, are chambered, as represented at 36, to receive the medium, as, for example, steam, for effecting the vulcanizing operation. In the arrangement shown the bottom plate 21 ofthe mold contains a plurality of passages 37 and 38 opening into the respective chambers 36 and serving as a means 01 circulating steam through these chamers.

The side-and-end-wall-forming portion of the mold is represented at 39, it being shown as a hollow rectangular structure open at its top and bottom and adapted to be applied to seating position at its lower edges upon the ledge 28 to encircle the core-structure formed of the sections 22 and rovide, between this core-structure and t e structure 39, a continuous space which is occupied by the container-forming elements 11 and 12 and portions of the elements 13 in the assembly of the parts, the wall-forming portion 39 of the mold relatively closely fitting the vertical exterior surfaces of the bars 29 and the core-plates 32. The edges of the end-wall-forn'iing portions of the structure 39 shown as lowermost in Fig. 1, are provided with depending portions 40 which, in the assembly of the structure 39 with the core-equipped lower plate 21, extend into, and conformingly fit, the recesses 33. The inner surfaces of the wall portions of the member 39 extending adjacent to the coreplatcs 32 are recessed at their lower edge portions. as represented at 39 to provide for the molding of a sufficient body of the contamer-forming material at the juncture of the handle-portions of the container with the walls carrying them.

The mold-member 39 extends above the top surfaces of the core sections 22, and contains dowel-receiving openings 41 to receive the depending dowels 42 provided on the top plate 43 of the mold. This plate is provided with a dependin rectangular portion 44 inset from the marginal edges of the late 43 throughout their extent and of such s ape and proportions that it extends into the uping applied to the mold, to render the rub-' ber compound of putty-like consistency, the partitions 14 and 15, being then inserted into the spaces 25 to rest at their lower edges on the portion of the plate 21 beneath them, the

notches l8 registering with the notches 27' in this position of the sheets 14 and 15 and the elements 17 then introduced into the notches 18 and 27; the elements 13 are then applied to the coraplates 32 to cause the portions 19 to extend into the channels 35 and the assembled core-plates 32 and elements 13 up lied to position on the corelate 21, the p ates 32 being positioned as s own in Fig. 1; the sheets 12 are then applied to the outer end surfaces of the two outermost core sections 22 to extend at their lower edges ,upon the tops of the core-plates 32 and into the spaces betweenthe core-sections 22 and the elements .13; the sheets 11 are then applied to the opposed remaining sides of the core-structure to rest upon the bars 29, and preferably completely overlap the end edges of the sheets 12; and-the sheet-16 then applied to the upper edges of the other elements applied to the core-structure as stated,

the sheet 16 being of such dimensions that it will, by preference, extend substantially flush with the outer surfaces of the elements 11 and 12.- a

The mold structure 39 is then applied to the plate 21 to surround the container-forming elements applied-to the core-structure as stated, the structure 39 seating at its lower edge upon the ledge 28 and its depending portions 40 extending into the recesses 33. The top plate 42 is then applied to the top of the structure 39.

It may be here stated that the amount of container-forming material introduced into the mold, or in other words the amount of this-material forming the elements shown in Fig. 2, is sufficiently in excess of the amount of the material contained in the finished container, this excess being preferably provided in the upper sheet 16, that the containerforming material, when subjected to the operations hereinafter described, will be caused to completely fill the mold cavities provided and permit of the material being subjected to the desired compressive stresses.

In accordance with the preferred manner ofpracticing my invention, the contents of the mold, in plastic condition as stated, are subjected to relatively great pressure by any suitable means for the purpose of forcing the top plate 43 with great force toward the bottom plate 21, it being preferred that a force of substantially three-fourths of a ton per square inch be applied, with the result that the container-forming plastic material is forced with great pressure into all ortions of the mold cavities, thereby firmly onding contiguous marginal, and edge, portions of the various elements shown in Fi 2. The mold is then placed in a hydraulic vulcanizer which, by preference, exerts the same force as that above stated against the top plate 43 and the plate 21, the steam in the vulcanizer circulating through the chambers 36 in the core-sections 22, by reason of the provision of the passages 37 and 38, the

mold remaining in the vulcanizer until the container-forming material has become vulcanized to the desired degree, in which operations above stated, the various elements of Fig. 2 are caused to become united at their contiguous marginal portions and edges, into a substantially homogeneous structure and vulcanized to produce the integral container shown in Fig. 3.

After the mold and its contents have been subjected to the vulcanizing heat for, the desired length of time the mold and its con- I tents are preferably cooled, as for example by filling the hydraulic vulcanizer with cooling water, in place of the steam, and the mold and its contents cooled ofi while maintaining the pressure stated, against the moldplates.

In the subjection of the contents of the mold to the high pressure as stated,the excess material is forced upwardly into and through the clearance 45 and into the substantially horizontal space between the upper edges of the structure 39 and the under side of the plate 43 at its marginal portions, as represented more clearly in Fig. 7. 1

After cooling the formed container it is removed from the mold preferably byfirst removing the top-plate 43 following which the fin formed of the excess material referred to and represented at 46 is preferably removed as, for example, by running a knife around the lower edge of this fin where it connects with the main portion of the molded container. The mold is then supported at the portion 39 thereof in any suitable manner at opposite sides of -this portion, as at the parts thereof which pro ject laterally beyond the core-plate 21 (Figs. 5 and 6) and downward force applied to the bottom portion of the formed container, as-

preferably removing the bars 29 and then forcing the container from the core-structure 21-22. After the container has been stripped from the core-structure 21-22, the core-plates 32 are removed from the handle-portion of the container.

A container constructed in accordance With my invention is not only highly durable, economical of manufacture, and leakproof, but also presents a neat and attractive appearance.

The feature of so forming the mold that the fins of excess material where they join the body of the container, extend in line with the outer surfaces of the container, instead of in line With the top surface of the container considering it in inverted condiistent, Would obstruct the ready removal of the portion 36 of the mold from the form container.

While I have illustrated and described a particular construction of apparatus for use in carrying out my improved method, I do not wish to be understood as intending to limit my invention thereto, as the same may be practiced by employing other apparatus, and variations in the method as described may be practiced Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

The method of manufacturing receptacles, which consists in heating the Vulcanizable material from which the receptacle is to be formed, positioning the material in heated condition in a mold, subjecting the heated material, in relatively soft condition, to pressure to fill the mold cavity, and thereafter vulcanizing the material.

JOHN M. AHLGREN. 

